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Equipment

Compiled by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
Maintained by Robert Meister WA1MIK
Click here or on the logo above for the main Icom web site
 


Contact information:
  Icom America Inc.
2380 116th Avenue NE
Bellevue,WA, 98004, U.S.A.
Tel : (425) 454-8155
Fax : (425) 454-1509
E-mail : sales@icomamerica.com

Technical Support: Web mail
or call 800-253-1498 or 425-450-6087
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Pacific Time.
Icom Canada
Glenwood Centre
#150-6165 Highway 17
Delta, B.C., V4K 5B8, Canada
Tel : (604) 952-4266
Fax : (604) 952-0090
E-mail : info@icomcanada.com


www.repeater-builder is looking for information on the various models of current and older Icom commercial mobiles as to their usefulness as remote bases or point-to-point links. Also we are interested in the commercial mobiles, the amateur and commercial repeaters with emphasis on:
  • What the differences are between the various models
  • The frequency ranges and which ones are crystal or synthesized
  • What makes one particular model better over another (i.e. which ones are the turkeys)
  • What it takes to move them onto amateur radio frequencies
  • If they aren't crystal controlled, information on how to program them (i.e. hardware programmer, PC program or front panel programming) would be appreciated, as well as what PC software do you need (and how to get it)

Modifications and Articles

Icom UX-49 PLL Lock Fix (The UHF IC-900 module)   By Kevin Custer W3KKC
Icom CTCSS Tone Chart By Kevin Custer W3KKC
Icom IC-2A/AT/E Frequency Range Mod
A Modification for the Icom IC-02, 03, 04 transmit audio (will probably be appropriate for the H16, U16 as well)
Icom IC-02, 03, 04, H16, U16 Tone Squelch encode/decode board information   Donated by Jeff Kincaid W6JK
Fixing the random microphonic crackle in the Icom IC-2100 2m mobile
Interfacing an Icom IC-28, 38 or 48 mobile for remote base service   Donated by Lee N3APP
Some modification info for the IC-37 family.   Collected by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
The IC-37 is the 220 MHz radio. Some of the info will apply to the 2m and 440 versions.
Interfacing the Icom IC-RPxx20 Repeater to a Link-Comm RLC Controller   58 KB PDF file   This writeup is from Link Communications and is frequency independent. Information donated by Eric Struble.
Interfacing the Icom IC-RP1520 Repeater to a Computer Automation Technology Inc. Controller   Offsite link to the CAT Auto web site Notes page.
While the title specifies the Icom 1520 the information is frequency independent and should be applicable to any Icom repeater that has the 8 pin DIN female accessory connector on the rear panel.
A repeater mod for the ICOM F121, F121S, F221, and F221S commercial radios   RTF file. Donated by Sean Smith VE6SAR.
General Icom Commercial Equipment Information   Donated by Thomas Reynolds KD7SGM.
Icom MDC-1200 Compatible Models   565 KB PDF
MDC is a data burst based system that is used to ID mobile radios in the land mobile radio world.
Solving antenna connector problems on Icom handhelds: IC2/3/4AT, IC02/03/04AT series   Donated by Mike Morris WA6ILQ.
Increasing the CTCSS level on the IC-706MKIIG transceiver   By David Branson KCØLL.
Icom UX-series Module Interfacing Design Guide   600kB PDF   By Joseph Haas KEØFF
A comprehensive guide to the interface signals and protocols used in the IC-900 and IC-901 multi-band transceivers. This is still a work-in-progress and will be updated as time permits, culminating in a full mobile radio control unit. Additional info on the ACC FC-900 interface for the IC-900/901 can be found on the ACC Index page.

Manuals and other Literature
This section has a mix of amateur and land mobile (commercial 2-way) information.
Most of the PDF files below showed up in my post office box on a CD-R in a recycled AOL mailer, with no return address, and a cryptic three-word note: "For Repeater-Builder".
Several others arrived in email with the note "Credit them to A. Nony Mous"

Icom Manuals Download Page   From Icom's own web site   (offsite link)
Icom IC-2AE (European) instruction manual less cover   717 KB PDF file
Icom IC-2A / AT / E instruction manual   3.24 MB PDF file
Icom IC-2AT / E complete schematic   95 KB PDF file (European model, with touchtone pad and tone burst)
Icom IC-2A / AT / E service manual   8 MB PDF file
Icom IC-µ2A / AT / E service manual   3.14 MB PDF file
Note this is the "Micro" 2A / AT / E model.
Icom IC-3A / AT instruction manual   2.9 MB PDF file
Anybody have the IC3AT service manual?
Icom IC-3SAT instruction manual   3.3 MB PDF file   5.6 MB version (slightly better detail)  
Icom IC-3SAT service manual   2.8 MB PDF file
Icom IC-4A / AT / E instruction manual   601 KB PDF file
Anybody have the service manual for the IC4AT ?
Icom IC-µ4A / AT / E service manual   3.05 MB PDF file
Note this is the "Micro" 4A / AT / E model.
Icom IC-02A / AT instruction manual   1.7 MB PDF file
Icom IC-02A / AT / E service manual   2 MB PDF file
Icom IC-03AT instruction manual   3.9 MB PDF file
Icom IC-03AT service manual   2.48 MB PDF file
Icom IC-04A / AT / E instruction manual   1.6 MB PDF file
Icom IC-04A / AT / E service manual   2.43 MB PDF file
Icom IC-A2 maintenance manual   1.84 MB PDF file
Note that this is the aircraft band radio.
Icom IC-4GA / GAT / GE service manual   2.44 MB PDF file
Icom IC-12GAT / IC12GE handheld service manual   2 MB PDF file
Icom IC-22U / IC-24E/G mobile instruction manual   1.04 MB PDF file
Icom IC-24AT / IC-24ET dual band handheld instruction manual   3.59 MB PDF file
Icom IC-32A / AT / E dual band handheld service manual   2.78 MB PDF file
Icom IC-37A 220 MHz instruction manual   2.6 MB PDF file   radio photo
Icom IC-47A/E UHF mobile service manual   2.87 MB PDF file
Icom IC-208H two band mobile instruction manual   3.3 MB PDF file
Icom IC-208H two band mobile service manual   4.3 MB PDF file
The service manual has a mis-print. On page 5-2 the resistor in the jig cable should be sized at 22 K ohm, not 2.2 K ohm. Even the Icom Knowledge Base Article on the topic has it wrong. You can download a fixed copy of the above file here as a 4 MB PDF file.
Icom IC-3200A/E dual band mobile service manual   3.8 MB PDF file
Icom IC-3220A/E/H dual band mobile service manual   2.7 MB PDF file
Icom IC-H16 and IC-U16 owners manual   3.76 MB PDF file   The owners manual for the commercial version of the IC-02 and IC-04 (no programming info).
Icom IC-U2, IC-H16 and IC-U16 Instruction manual   (2.56 MB PDF file)   Seems to be a better scan of a different version of the above manual.
Icom IC-H16, IC-U16, IC-U2, IC-V100, IC-U400, IC-V200, IC-U200 and the IC-V201 Programming information   1.79 MB PDF file
Icom IC-H16 VHF handheld service manual   2.58 MB PDF
Icom IC-H16T VHF handheld service manual   3.8 MB PDF
This is the later "T" version
Icom IC-H16 MK-II VHF handheld service manual   10.1 MB PDF
This is the later "Mark 2" version that was never imported into the USA. It's a totally different radio than the H16.
Icom IC-U16 UHF handheld service manual   2.37 MB PDF
Icom IC-W2A / W2E handheld service manual   1.8 MB PDF
Icom IC-W2A / W2E handheld schematics only   514 KB PDF
To expand the receiver frequency range of the IC-W2A to 118.00-170.00, 322.00-513.00, and 800.000-970.000, do the following: Hold down the Light, B, and # keys while turning the power on. That's actually a four button sequence, since the power on function is controlled by a keypad button.
Icom IC-W21AT / ET handheld service manual   4.2 MB PDF
Icom IC-W31AT / ET handheld service manual   1.98 MB PDF
Icom IC-W32AT / ET handheld instruction manual   735 KB PDF
Icom IC-W32AT / ET handheld service manual   10.8 MB PDF
Icom PS30 13.8V 25A Power Supply Instruction Manual   332 KB PDF file
Icom BC-35 desktop battery charger manual with schematic   763 KB PDF file
Another scan of the same manual, a little over half the size   409 KB PDF
Schematic only   Horizontally oriented for viewing   75 KB PDF
Schematic diagram   Vertically oriented for printing   121 KB PDF
The BC-35 is the drop-in rapid charger for the ICM-5, IC-M11, IC-M16, IC-U16, IC-2GAT, IC-02AT, IC-2AT, IC-32AT, IC-4GAT, IC-04GAT, IC-04AT, IC-4AT, IC-12GAT, IC-03AT, IC-3AT, IC-IC-H2, IC-H6, IC-H12, IC-U12 plus the Radio Shack HTX202 and HTX404.
The charger has an interesting design - there are three microswitches that are opened or closed by a 3-way programming insert mounted in the bottom of the battery. They control the charging current (and the trickle charge current).

This unit has an almost-fatal design flaw that only shows up when used with the 12 volt BP-7 or CM-7 battery pack that is old enough that it has one or more shorted cells. The design of the charger has a circuit that measures charging current using four resistors in series-parallel, which together comprise a 1 ohm 1 watt resistor. This resistor is in the path of the charging current and functions as a current sense resistor and as a current limiter. When a discharged battery is inserted current starts to flow and R39, R40, R41 and R42 (all of which are 1/4 watt, 1 ohm resistors) develop a voltage drop that is proportional to the current. They are sized for the current level needed to charge a 9.6 volt battery, and they work fine.

HOWEVER... All of the batteries except the penlight pack and the BP-7 (and its commercial equivalent the CM-7) are 9.6 volts, the BP-7 is 12v and has a relay inside that compensates for the BC-35 being a designed to charge 9.6 volt batteries. The BP-7 internally is made up of two separate 6 volt strings, which are placed in in series for use (normally closed contacts) and in parallel for charging (i.e. when there is voltage across the charging contacts). If your (normally 12v) BP-7 has one or more shorted cells in it the radio still works since it was designed to operate at anything from 9.6v (anything but a BP-7) to 12v (a BP-7). When the BC-35 is used with a BP-7 that has one or more shorted cells (i.e. less than 6 volts) the charger doesn't know any better and pumps more than enough current to cause the four resistors to generate more heat than they can handle. And since the four resistors are very marginal in wattage to start with and are soldered flush against the circuit board they toast the glass-epoxy substrate.

A while back my friend WB6GSO came to me with a dead charger... Everything seemed to work except that the battery pack wouldn't charge. A bit of disassembly and some looking around revealed those four resistors were badly burned and the board under them was seriously charred. My fix was simple: I took advantage of the board layout that had two at the edge of the circuit board and jumpered out the other two. I then soldered a one ohm, five watt ceramic coated wirewound in place of the ones that were at the edge of the board; the new resistor hung over the edge on its leads in the open airflow. A two watt carbon resistor would have worked, but I used what was in the junk box, and there was plenty of room for the small wirewound.

If your BC-35 is in daily service, make the fix soon, like this weekend. And replace the defective inserts in your BP-7s with new ones. Since WB6GSO lived and worked in the prime coverage area of the repeater he had no indication that his handheld radio was effectively in the BP-8 (low power) mode when the BP-7 with a shorted cell (or two) was in use.
Data sheet on the rechargeable battery packs for the IC-2, IC-3, IC-4, IC-02, IC-03 and IC-04 series handhelds 64 KB PDF file
This data sheet covers the "amateur grade" BP-2, BP-3, BP-4, BP-5, BP-5A, BP-7, BP-8 and BP-70. Except for the BP-4 they are recharged in the BC-35 charger mentioned above (the BP-4 is a holder for ten AA penlight cells).
Data sheet on the rechargeable battery packs for the IC-H16, IC-U16 125 KB PDF file
This data sheet covers the "commercial grade" CM-5, CM-7, CM-8, CM-12, CM-96 series. The trailing B (as in CM-7B) indicates black plastic, a trailing G (as in CM-7G) indicated gray. No trailing letter (as in CM-7) indicated dark gray. All except the CM-12 series are recharged in the BC-35 charger mentioned above (the CM-12 is a holder for ten AA penlight cells).
Icom CM-7 battery pack schematic   3.5 KB GIF file   (also applicable to the BP-7)
This is the high power ("12 volt") pack that has an interesting design - since the BC-35 is effectively an 11v charger designed to charge 9.6v batteries this battery pack uses an internal relay to switch two 6v cell groups in parallel for charging and in series (12v) for operation.
Icom CM-8 battery pack schematic   4.7 KB GIF file   (also applicable to the BP-8)
Icom IC-706 Service Manual   4.4 MB PDF file
This is the HF radio that also does 6 meters. When coupled to a high-end repeater controller that understands what a HF remote base is (like an NHRC-10, an Arcom RC210 or similar capability controller) this makes a dandy HF remote base... Just watch the pre-emphasis and de-emphasis! And note that the Icom command language in the 706 microprocessor has a firmware bug that Icom apparently will NOT fix no matter how many people report it (it's a 10 year old design and they're not going to fix it, they'd prefer you bought a new radio): The 706 series will not let you set the VHF/UHF CTCSS encoder frequency remotely. There is a workaround for this that the Arcom controllers have as a built-in feature: pre-program 32 memory channels with the 32 CTCSS encode tones, then to change frequency recall the appropriate tone-coded memory to the dial, then program the dial with your desired target frequency.
Icom IC-706 MK2 Service Manual   3.5 MB PDF file     This is the later 706 HF radio that also does 6 meters and 2 meters.
Icom IC-706 MK2G Service Manual   12.7 MB PDF file     This is the most recent 706 HF radio that also does 6m, 2m and 440MHz.
Don't overlook the 706 CTCSS deviation mod above - stock the radios had low CTCSS deviation, KCØLL fixed it.
Icom IC-756 Service Manual 6.5 MB
Icom IC-900A/E mobile service manual   9.8 MB PDF file
Icom IC-901A/E mobile service manual   9.7 MB PDF file
Icom IC-900-901A/E data structure   82 KB PDF file
Icom IC-2100H 2m mobile instruction manual   790 KB PDF file
Icom IC-2100H 2m mobile service manual   3.46 MB PDF file
Icom IC-2100H 2m mobile schematic package   2.4 MB PDF file
Popular with the Packet / APRS community.   Also see the IC-2100 modification file above.
Icom IC-7000 Service Manual   11 MB PDF file
Icom R-1 Wideband Handheld Receiver Instruction Manual   7 MB PDF file
Icom R-10 Communications Receiver Instruction Manual   1.21 MB PDF file
Icom R-100 Communications Receiver Instruction Manual   2.17 MB PDF file
Icom IC-F110S, 111S, 121S and IC-F210S, 211S and IC-F221S Service manual
This is a 5.02 MB PDF file that contains 2 manuals: the first is the 8 channel 136-174 MHz VHF transceiver (pages 1-37) and the second is the UHF transceiver (pages 38-74). The UHF comes in two splits, 400-430 MHz and 440-490 MHz.
Icom IC-F111, 121 (VHF) and IC-F211, 221 (UHF) instruction manual   759 KB PDF
Icom IC-F111S, 121S (VHF) and IC-F211S, 221S (UHF) instruction manual   758 KB PDF   Both from Sean Smith VE6SAR.
Icom IC-435 UHF mobile info package (sales flyer, schematic, programming)   2.1 MB ZIP file

ICOM Repeaters
Icom RP-1210 10w 1200MHz repeater service manual   6.5 MB PDF file
Icom RP-1220 10w 1200MHz repeater instruction manual   1.6 MB PDF file
Icom RP-1220 10w 1200MHz repeater service manual   4.7 MB PDF file
Icom RP-1510 25w VHF repeater operations manual   3.9 MB PDF file   (older version) - Includes DIP switch frequency setting chart
Icom RP-1520 25w VHF repeater instruction manual   4.7 MB PDF file
Icom RP-1520 25w VHF repeater service manual   4.2 MB PDF file
Icom RP-1620 50w VHF repeater instruction manual   2.14 MB PDF file   (newer version)
Icom RP-2210 25w 220MHz repeater Operating and Service manual   12.8 MB PDF file
Icom RP-2210 25w 220MHz repeater Operating and Service manual   5.1 MB PDF file   A later version that's less than half the file size.
Icom RP-2210 220 MHz Repeater Frequency Switch Chart   35 KB XLS (Excel) format
Icom RP-4020 UHF Repeater Instruction Manual   1.7 MB PDF file Courtesy of Sam Skolfield KJ6QFS
Note that the "service" manual below does not have any info on how to set the RF frequency and tone frequency DIP switches! This manual does! I suggest that you print the three pages of Section 4 and stuff it inside the repeater cabinet.
Icom RP-4020 UHF Repeater Service Manual   3 MB PDF file   10, 25 or 50 watts, depending on the model / version.
Icom RP-4520 UHF Repeater Service Manual   3 MB PDF file   10, 25 or 50 watts, 5 kHz or 2.5 kHz deviation depending on the model / version.

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This page originally posted on 14-Oct-2004

Text, artistic layout and hand-coded HTML © Copyright 2004 and date of last update by Mike Morris WA6ILQ

This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.